Farmington Feed: Parks & Recreation Month
This is the Farmington Feed, bringing you information from the city of Farmington.
Caryn:Hi, and welcome back to the Farmington Feed. I'm Caryn Hojnicki, the city's Communications Specialist, and I'm hungry for another episode of the Feed. In July, we celebrate parks and recreation month. With that being said, we have Kellee Omlid, Parks and Recreation Director, and Katie Putt, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, with us today to discuss the updates happening at Rambling River Park. Kellee and Katie, hello, and welcome to the feed.
Caryn:Our listeners are excited to hear about the changes happening at Rambling River Park.
Kellee:Thanks, Caryn. Excited to be here with you today.
Katie:Thanks for having me.
Caryn:Yeah. You know, Kellee's been on a few episodes already, but this is your first one, Katie. Thanks for coming. Yeah. Now tell me, how long have you been on the Parks and Recreation Commission?
Katie:I think it's been about 2 years that I've been on, maybe 3. It's been a while. I started midterms, so that's partly why I get confused.
Kellee:Okay. Seems longer than that. You're so good at it.
Katie:But I think it's only been, like, 2 or 3 years. Okay.
Caryn:Yeah. So how did you become interested in joining the commission?
Katie:I saw the ad in the paper or the current, so I'm not sure where it was. But, saying that they were looking for a new member. So I applied through the city website. Super easy process. Had an interview process.
Katie:Again, super easy. I have 2 young kids, and we use the parks and the trail systems extensively. So it was super interesting to me to be able to be part of the discussions around keeping our systems up to date. I also have worked with special needs kiddos for 25 years. So advocating for accessibility is very important to me as well.
Katie:For sure.
Caryn:Yeah. So that's how you got involved in That is. I mean, it's important to get involved in your community. And this is one way to do it is being on a commission. So are residents able to attend your commission meetings?
Kellee:Absolutely. The all meetings that we have are public meetings. Meeting notices and agendas are posted, and they are invited to attend. And we love it when residents come in and we get some feedback. It's not very often we get guests to the meetings.
Caryn:Right. When are they held again?
Katie:We hold them the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7 o'clock here at city hall. Okay. Great.
Caryn:So let's get to the reason why we're here today to talk about Rambling River Park. It's Farmington's premier park and so many people use this on the daily. Fishing, baseball, picnics, etc. Visiting the Veterans Memorial. This park is important to the community. So this is why, obviously, it's important to the commission as well. So can you tell me a little bit about that?
Katie:We, as a commission, really want to make Rambling River Park a destination park in our county even, not just Farmington. Mhmm. We wanna get a little bit more variety in the parks we have in our city, which is one reason we wanted the accessibility included in the park. We don't have that yet in Farmington. We also want it at the skate park, which is super exciting for us to be able to include our teens.
Kellee:Mhmm.
Katie:And the planning has been awesome.
Caryn:Yeah. That's a tough group to get.
Kellee:Right. We're we're waiting news on a DNR outdoor recreation grant for construction of the skate park. We were supposed to hear in June, and we haven't heard yet, but hopefully soon.
Caryn:So because of this park being so important, the master plan was recently updated. Can you tell me a little bit about that process and how often they get updated?
Kellee:Sure. We decided to update the park master plan for Rambling River Park, specifically because last one was updated in 2009. We know that interests, activities, demographics have changed since 2009. We thought if we were gonna put a major investment into Rambling River Park, which we haven't done in several years, we needed to get the feedback from the residents, the users, the school district, Dakota County, businesses, etcetera, on what they see the future of the park to look like. It is the gateway to our our downtown, our community, and we want to make it inviting for for all people. Master plans, for the parks are usually done right when you get a a piece of land for park, in a subdivision. Oftentimes, they don't get, updated unless you're looking for a major change. So it could be 10 years or we have some park master plans that have never been updated yet.
Caryn:Oh, wow. Well, I mean, there's a lot of parks. How many again?
Kellee:27 parks currently in Farmington.
Caryn:That's a lot.
Katie:It's a lot.
Caryn:Yeah. I was super amazed when I first moved to Minnesota how many parks there were everywhere.
Kellee:Yeah.
Caryn:It's a lot.
Kellee:It's important to, to Minnesotans to have an escape, whether it's playing at the park or walking or running on the trails.
Caryn:For sure. So, Katie, how were you and the commission involved in this master plan process?
Katie:We had a lot of discussions around what we want to include, what the community is interested, and how to best meet all of the needs because they're varied. And we certainly can't meet every desire, but trying to fit as many in as we can. We also looked at different park layouts and different playground structures and kinda help with the process of choosing options.
Caryn:Visit other parks and look take a look at them and stuff?
Katie:We did. And we had pictures sent in by the architects and the different designers. And then we could go to the community with 2 options instead of 20. Right. Because that really helps to narrow it down ahead of time.
Katie:We also just looked at different accessibility options and what needed to be updated, like the bathrooms and
Kellee:The commission decided on we we knew we're gonna go with a poured in place rubber surfacing. They decided on the color and make made a recommendation to city council. They were active in the open house. If you remember, we had a open house at Music in the Park, and commissioners at that were available that night came out and and helped and engaged with, the residents and other folks that came to that that meeting. So they were without the commission and and city council support. I don't think we'd be here today. So shout out to both of those groups for their, support, their drive, and and continuing to work with staff to make this into a reality.
Caryn:For sure. I mean, I remember seeing a lot of those, kids on skateboards that night too, talking about that.
Kellee:Yeah. They were the group that was best represented. They were out loud that night, which was great to see them there. They've been a driving force and, been respectful. They still email me today and ask for status updates. And, I still say we're hoping.
Caryn:Yeah. We talked a little bit about funding for future improvements of Rambling River Park. But where did the money come for this this new playground?
Kellee:It's a great question, Caryn. The funding for the playground equipment and poured in place rubber surfacing came from American Rescue Plan Act funds and a grant from Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation. So we can't thank city council enough for allowing us to use ARPA funds and also to Nicole McCarthy and her pushing for the grant from Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation.
Caryn:Oh, that's awesome. Yeah.
Kellee:We're very excited.
Caryn:So the plan involved many steps. And then so so for our Rambling River Park, you you got community feedback. The commission saw different drawings and plans and all of that. And now here we are like a
Katie:a year later from that and the playground's going in. How exciting is this? So exciting. My 2 kids drive past. We drive past it frequently and they're always asking, can't we just go on?
Katie:And I'm like, we have to wait. The fencing is still up. But they're so excited. And I hear so many families in the community that are just desperately anxious for it to open up and be able to use it. For sure.
Katie:Yeah.
Kellee:I get a lot of ask, when is it going to open up? When are you taking that fence down? And to be able to take it from a master plan to putting the playground equipment in and seeing it just be probably less than days away from being open is awesome, and I can't wait until we can have a grand opening and and celebrate with the community. This is, the momentum we needed to get the ball rolling at Remedy River Park.
Caryn:Yeah. Sure. And so the park's just one part. Right? So there's other things, other plans.
Caryn:But what are you most excited about, Katie?
Katie:I am most excited to get the splash pad in, which I don't know when that will happen as far as funding goes. But it's such a great amenity to be able to bring to Farmington. I cannot wait to have the water option available.
Caryn:Oh, yeah. For sure. And that's good for kids of all ages.
Katie:It is. It's great for all ages, especially on a hot day. Who doesn't want to get just a little wet to cool down?
Caryn:Exactly.
Katie:Put your feet in. My kids want to be under all the hoses and everything. That's going to be great so we don't have to drive to all the other cities that have them.
Caryn:For sure. Kellee, what are you most excited about?
Kellee:Well, I'm excited for the skate park, for the skateboard, kids are skaters who have come out. They've come to park & rec commission meetings. They've done presentations. They continued email and calls. So I'm excited for that. But the one other thing I'm I'm excited about is the pickleball courts. Oh, yeah. Right now, we don't have funded identified for that either, but I think that's the one amenity that is all ages. It could be 3 generations playing. It could be a young, young child, 5, 6. It could be a parent and and a grandparent playing all at the same time on the same court. Yeah. So to me, that's the the amenity that I'm most excited about is the pickleball courts. And like I said, we will be going out looking for some money for that as well.
Caryn:And where is that supposed to be located?
Kellee:We've been, having conversations with the school district, and they have tennis courts or former tennis courts at behind Dodge Middle School. Mhmm. So the talk is to rip those out and put the pickleball courts there. Okay. That's what it's shown in the the master plan currently is putting them there. Okay. So school district, I think, is still on board with letting us use that land for that Okay. When we can find the funds.
Caryn:Right. Yep. So what are you guys most excited about besides Rambling River Park?
Kellee:I'm excited for the ribbon cutting at Sunny Hills Park that's coming up.
Caryn:Oh, when is that?
Katie:It is Wednesday, July 10th at 6 PM at the park.
Caryn:And do we have a address for that park for those that don't know?
Katie:Sure do. It is 19200 Clearwater Loop.
Caryn:Okay. And that's, ribbon cutting for Sunny Hills.
Kellee:Ribbon cutting. Come on and join us and and help us celebrate, one of Farmington's newest parks.
Caryn:Alright. Let's go back to the playground for a minute. Talking about accessibility. Yeah. Do you wanna, you know, dive deeper into what that means and what this park is gonna offer?
Katie:Sure. So many of our families have various accessibility needs, whether it's a child that is blind, in a wheelchair, someone elderly that has a walker or a cane. There's so many different needs. Having a wide enough playground that the kids can all get up onto is huge. Having swings, you know, if an older child can't hold their head up strong enough, they still have the big swings that they can get on.
Katie:Mhmm. It's just I had so many options for a family to come out together and find a way to all use the same park at the same time without having to leave someone out.
Caryn:Yeah. For sure.
Kellee:I think the the definition I wrote it down so I could it's one that kind of sticks out with me. It's children and adults of all abilities can interact with each other and do what everyone wants to do. Play.
Caryn:Play. Yep.
Kellee:That's it. Play. Yeah. Together. Yep.
Caryn:That's really awesome. So the poured in place, rubber surfacing, obviously, is the one key. What are some other key elements?
Katie:The wider paths Otherwise, it's pretty cramped and hard to
Caryn:Oh, yeah. For sure.
Katie:Access any of it.
Kellee:Mhmm. Yeah. There's there's nice ramps there that will provide that accessibility for someone if they're in a wheelchair or a walker.
Caryn:Yep. And then the one thing that I do wanna mention, there's gonna be a zip line. Right?
Katie:Oh, yes.
Caryn:I mean, come on. There is a zip line. That's the most exciting piece of equipment I feel like now. My kids are always like, does this park has a zip line? Right?
Kellee:It's a it's a hot ticket item.
Caryn:For sure. And it's so fun. Mhmm. And then having, obviously, probably the the big chair on 1 or on both. Right?
Katie:Yeah. The big chair is fantastic. Again, a kiddo that can't hold on for whatever accessibility reason can be buckled into the seat and still have the same experience as their peers or their siblings.
Kellee:Yeah. So the one will be the chair and the other will be like the little glider disc.
Caryn:Oh, yeah. Okay. So they could race.
Katie:They sure could.
Kellee:Yeah. Maybe we'll go out and race, and then when it's open here.
Caryn:Alright. Who's gonna win? Kellee or Katie? I don't know.
Kellee:I don't know. I think I'd put my money on Katie.
Katie:I don't know.
Caryn:Okay. So let's just talk about Farmington in general, like your favorite parks. What are the couple that you really like to go to or your kids like to go to, Katie?
Katie:My kids love Vermillion Grove. K. It has a rock wall.
Caryn:Oh, awesome.
Katie:It's like back off the roads. You've got to kind of hike to get in there. That is their favorite park by far. They also love Hill Dee, which they call the fish park.
Caryn:Why do they call it that?
Katie:Part of the playground structure is shaped like a fish.
Caryn:Oh, okay. There you go.
Katie:There's a big fish on it.
Caryn:Yeah, for sure.
Katie:So, yeah, those are the 2 that we hit the most often, but they love all of them. And just a quick plug, the geocache program we partner with the public library for.
Caryn:Oh, yeah. I forgot about that.
Katie:Fantastic for finding a way to intentionally explore the parks in the city.
Kellee:And our 2 newest parks now have caches in them, Sunny Hills Park and Flagstaff Meadows Park.
Caryn:Oh, okay.
Kellee:So, yeah, go explore there. I I bet most, community members probably have never been to Flagstaff Meadows. Yeah. Just south of the high school.
Katie:Yeah. We already found the cache at Flagstaff Meadows, and it was so fun. I couldn't get my kids to leave.
Kellee:Any hints on where it's located?
Katie:Oh, weeeeee.
Kellee:Oh. Oh, there you go.
Caryn:Alright. We'll have to check it out. So if they wanna do the geocaching hunt, what do they need to do?
Katie:Go to the public library in Farmington. They have a little packet they'll give you. Put your email down in case there's any changes.
Caryn:Okay.
Katie:And the librarians there are super helpful. So if you have any questions, feel free to ask them. They'll be there.
Caryn:So you're basically just like writing stuff in your booklet when you find them? Right?
Katie:You have a booklet with each park. It has the coordinates for the cache, as well as where to park. Because some parks have a lot of entrances.
Caryn:Yeah. For sure.
Katie:And a lot of trails that lead in and out of them. So that will help you be closer to it. Okay. And then you write down the code that's in your geo cache bucket, and it'll make a phrase. Okay. And you get prizes.
Caryn:Yeah. Oh, yeah. Prizes.
Kellee:For every park you hit. How many ever levels you hit, you get a prize?
Katie:There's 3 prizes. I think it's 5, 15, and 25 parks. Okay. And then you get a prize. From the library.
Katie:From the library.
Caryn:Oh, awesome.
Katie:Which is always cool.
Kellee:It's doable.
Caryn:Alright. Yeah. Get to know your parks for sure. And we talked about how many they have. Which one is the oldest, Kellee?
Kellee:Good question. I actually had to well, I text Jim Bell, the city's first, parks and recreation director, and he called me and I was wrong. I thought it was Westview Acres. It was actually Evergreen Knoll
Caryn:Oh, okay.
Kellee:1968. And then Hill Dee was 1969. So you have one on the furthest end south of town and one on the furthest north. And then Rambling River Park was, the third, and that was started when he was hired.
Caryn:Okay.
Kellee:So Evergreen Knoll was the city's oldest park.
Caryn:Alright. Well, then now which one's the newest?
Kellee:Flagstaff Meadows Park.
Caryn:Flagstaff Meadows. And that's the one by the high school.
Kellee:That one's by the high school, off of 210th Street and Flagstaff Avenue, kinda tucked in there in the neighborhood. Okay.
Caryn:And we just released this, and I believe it was on our socials the other day, a how to video for our new, parks and open space viewer.
Kellee:Yeah. So if you've seen in the Currents, we have a pullout guide or a tearout guide on how to what of all of our amenities at our parks and our trails. Well, this is now on the Internet and you can filter by location. For instance, parks that have grills, shelters, running water, a basketball court. And you put the filters on and off, and it'll show you exactly which park has which amenities. So we think that's a great thing to do, especially if you're looking for a shelter with a playground and potentially bathrooms. Not all of our parks have, indoor bathrooms or portable toilets. We only put portable toilets in parks that we have programs, so there's a lot that don't have a portable toilet.
Caryn:And that's definitely good to know before you go. Right, Katie?
Katie:It sure is. Especially with young kids that are potty training.
Caryn:Right.
Kellee:Yep. So, I would encourage residents to take a look at it. Dani did great with it, and the video is very easy to understand and
Caryn:For sure.
Kellee:Access.
Caryn:Yep. So is there anything else you guys are itching to talk about about Rambling River?
Katie:Just that we are super excited to see this and to get the community active in this park. And we always love hearing more feedback.
Caryn:So they can always email you, Kellee?
Kellee:Yep. Absolutely. Feel free to reach out at KOmlid@FarmingtonMN.gov. Or like Katie had mentioned, stop at a a park and rec commission meeting. Like she said, it's the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7 PM right here at city hall. Agenda packets are published on Friday before so they can see what's what's on the agenda for that meeting. Some agendas are longer and some are are shorter than others, but always open to the public.
Caryn:And they can come and, you know, just get to know what's going on. Absolutely. For sure. Alright. Well, thank you so much for coming in today and giving us some background on the park master plan and what you have been doing for the past year.
Caryn:Sounds like you've been really busy
Katie:We have been.
Caryn:On that commission. And Kellee's been busy with all the recreation events and all this park planning. So before I wrap up, I wanna remind listeners that updates to Rambling River Park and other Farmington Parks and Trails are posted on our website. If you click on the project updates button on the home page, it'll take you right there. We can check out our socials during this month and we'll continue to celebrate parks and recreation month, and we're gonna feature different parks throughout the city.
Caryn:So get outside and visit a new park. Well, I wanna thank you again, Kelly and Katie, for coming today, and I hope this spurs more and more excitement for this new park and playground. That concludes this month's episode of the Farmington Feed. Thank you for listening. We look forward to connecting with residents with this podcast.
Caryn:If you have any feedback, guest requests, or ideas, email me at communications at FarmingtonMN.gov. Don't forget to subscribe to the Farmington Feed wherever you like to get your podcasts.
